GENEVA, Sept 30, 2015 – International environmental groups Ban Toxics and the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) released a series of issue briefs highlighting the human rights implications of five highly toxic pollutants.
The issue briefs were released in conjunction with the ongoing global negotiations of the 4th International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM4) organized under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme’s Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management. ICCM4 runs from Sept. 28 to Oct. 2 and has brought together 628 participants from 125 countries and 87 NGOs.
“The implications of toxic chemicals on human rights are countless. They reach a broad range of individuals and groups, with impacts that are vast and can be both persistent and irreversible. The vulnerability of children, the poor, marginalized communities, indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable populations to disproportionate levels of exposure to toxic chemicals raises critical questions around fundamental human rights principles, such as equality, non-discrimination, and self-determination,” explained Baskut Tuncak, Senior Attorney with CIEL.
The issue briefs focus on 4 chemicals and 1 hazardous waste stream of global concern: mercury, lead, phthalates, decaBDE (an additive flame retardant), and electronic waste or e-Waste. The briefs provide the readers an overview of the chemicals of concern and proceeds to elaborate on the human rights implication of each.
“Human rights is the fundamental measure that brings these technical issues front in center of government, companies, and consumers. There’s a need to bridge the language of human rights with the chemical and waste sector, and we hope this initial effort will contribute to fuller report later on,” said Richard Gutierrez Executive Director of Ban Toxics.
The work of BT and CIEL was supported by the Swedish Society of Nature Conservation.
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Ban Toxics! (BT) founded in 2006 is a non-profit non-governmental organization that works to promote and defend environmental justice in the area of chemicals and wastes in the Southeast Asian region. At the core of its advocacy is establishing linkages with environmental issues, human rights and sustainable development. BT! works closely with marginalized communities in rural areas, as well as sensitive populations to the impact of toxic pollution, especially, children, women, and indigenous communities. BT! believes that the only world passing to our children is toxics-free.
Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) – Founded in 1989, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) uses the power of law to protect the environment, promote human rights, and ensure a just and sustainable society. CIEL is dedicated to advocacy in the global public interest through legal counsel, policy research, analysis, education, training, and capacity building.